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Best cab/cabs for metal

I in the position where micing my practice amp is not an option anymore. I have a good poweramp and preamp with plenty of wattage. I am playing with two guitarist each running a half stack. Should I be going for low (15's) or try to cut through somehow? I am on a tight budget, but that is what craigslist is for. Any ideas on configuration?
 
I use my Ampeg 810 with great success.

Make sure your guitarists don't crank their lows, you'll be better off that way. I'm getting ready to add an 18" woofer to my setup for the extra push, so maybe a 2x15 would be nice for you. You'll hear yourself if you don't scoop your EQ and if you're generous with the power.
 
I'd say a 2x15 or an 8x10... or both... :hiding:

Don't let 15's fool you, they won't be nothing but lows, and I find them to have plenty of highs. But that depends on what you consider high end.

+1 to mrkreuzschlitz, make sure the guitars don't have a ton of low end dialed in. Don't scoop out the mids in your signal, unless you have enough power to make the mid-scooped sound heard.
 
I have been looking at hartke. If I get enough watts can I run a single 15 or 410? I have 500 watts into 4 ohms/350 @ 8.

Thank you guys for the responces! Are there any brands I should keep my eye on? I have been a bed room rock star with a jam session here and there until now (liberation!)

You can't beat Hartke when it comes to price/quality.

Yoour power output should be fine. That Hartke XL cab handles 400W at 8 ohm.

Those aluminium speakers are wonderful. I love it and I play (tend to play) metal if that counts for something.

The only downside is the weight of those XL cabs. :hmm:
42kg... that's why I'm looking for lighter 4x10 cabs like Markbass or something.

good luck
 
I love the sound of the aluminum cones. I would only have 350watts going into a 400 cab though. I could bridge and end up with 1000 rms and chain a 15. I have to read the ohms faq again. Bridged is rated at 8 ohms. I guess I could run stereo with a 15 on the other side that should give me enough air moving to prevent clipping unless I am wrong. Ya hartke was my first thought.
 
I have been looking at hartke. If I get enough watts can I run a single 15 or 410? I have 500 watts into 4 ohms/350 @ 8.

Thank you guys for the responces! Are there any brands I should keep my eye on? I have been a bed room rock star with a jam session here and there until now (liberation!)

I would not try to keep up with a loud band with a single Hartke 15. I've heard that they have rather low power handling capabilities, so you'd risk blowing it. However, the 4.5XL (it's a 4x10 plus a 5" midrange) is a good, inexpensive standalone cab up to a reasonable volume -- but it weighs 96 lbs... I used one for years but have moved on to other things lately. Too bad you aren't in my area, or I'd sell you mine for cheap. :D
 
I would not try to keep up with a loud band with a single Hartke 15. I've heard that they have rather low power handling capabilities, so you'd risk blowing it. However, the 4.5XL (it's a 4x10 plus a 5" midrange) is a good, inexpensive standalone cab up to a reasonable volume -- but it weighs 96 lbs... I used one for years but have moved on to other things lately. Too bad you aren't in my area, or I'd sell you mine for cheap. :D

Do you think it would be a good stand alone with two loud distored guitars?
 
Do you think it would be a good stand alone with two loud distored guitars?

Honestly, it might -- but it might not be loud enough. I used mine by itself in bands that weren't crazy loud, but I was always careful to roll off some of the 30Hz low bass to keep the drivers from bottoming out. Eventually I added a Carvin 18" sub and ran it biamped. That rig could handle the low B at very high volume with no problems. BTW -- Carvin might be another place to look if you need to keep the price down. I haven't heard their 4x10s, but that old 18" sounded great at a very low price.

EDIT: One thing you haven't mentioned is how low do you tune? If you have a low B or are down-tuning a 4 to C or something like that, your needs will be a little different than if your lowest note is the standard E.
 

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